Apple Linux

I know this isn't the proper forum for this but most of the Xserve discussion is happening here so, here goes.

Would people be interested in an Apple distribution of Linux that included a good implementation of AFP with spotlight, extended attributes and ACL support, a Mac focused version of OD with work group management, client side tools (like Server Admin) for OS X clients, and migration tools for current Mail / Cal / iChat server setups, perhaps even partnering with Kerio.

This way you could run it on any server hardware you wanted, the drivers for those servers would already be available, and they could leverage the already robust services Linux offers like DNS, DHCP, SMB and other network services. Xsan for Linux (think MDCs) would be trivial since it's already supported with StoreNext.

Before MacOS X, as you no doubt know, Apple had its own Linux distribution in MkLinux. If Apple thought that Linux were superior to its UNIX 03-based OS, then I have no doubt that it would use it.

Before we go too far afield, however, be reminded that Apple dropped the Xserve, its 1U rackmount server. It did not drop its server OS. The Xserve was one line of computer hardware. Apple sold servers before the Xserve. It sells servers now. I have no doubt that it will sell servers in the future.

Before MacOS X, as you no doubt know, Apple had its own Linux distribution in MkLinux. If Apple thought that Linux were superior to its UNIX 03-based OS, then I have no doubt that it would use it.

Before we go too far afield, however, be reminded that Apple dropped the Xserve, its 1U rackmount server. It did not drop its server OS. The Xserve was one line of computer hardware. Apple sold servers before the Xserve. It sells servers now. I have no doubt that it will sell servers in the future.

I remember MkLinux, but it was of little use once there were better PPC distros like YellowDog. Apple is obviously reluctant to free MacOS X Server to run it on any other hardware. With Linux, the decision would have been easy.

I remember MkLinux, but it was of little use once there were better PPC distros like YellowDog. Apple is obviously reluctant to free MacOS X Server to run it on any other hardware. With Linux, the decision would have been easy.

This could be an opportunity for a 3rd party.

Oh, nonsense. MkLinux was not Apple's first rodeo. Apple's Unix was AU/X, a port of System V. In its day, its was considered to be one of the better ports of Sys. V extant. It originally included a System 6 environment and later a System 7 environment. Apple also ported its System 6/System 7 environment to other Unix ports such as HP-UX, Solaris, et. al. Apple discontinued AU/X only because it agreed to adopt IBM's AIX when it entered into the AIM alliance.

Apple dropped AIX after it merged with NeXT and adopted OpenSTEP. MkLinux was not a failed Linux distribution. It was Linux ported to the Mach kernel.

The take away message is that few companies today have as much experience with UNIX and Unix-like operating systems as Apple. We see Apple taking custody of certain Unix technologies and creating others. The fact that Apple is one of the few companies whose operating system is certified UNIX makes its commitment to UNIX unquestioned. The Unix-like operating systems will benefit, but Apple's commitment is to the genuine article.

Before we go too far afield, however, be reminded that Apple dropped the Xserve, its 1U rackmount server. It did not drop its server OS. The Xserve was one line of computer hardware. Apple sold servers before the Xserve. It sells servers now. I have no doubt that it will sell servers in the future.